| | Rain during the last two weeks has brought large amounts of precipitation (40-150 mm) to the Southern and Central Regions, and southern parts of the North East/North West Regions. The recent rain has hindered seeding and other field operations, and left water standing in low-lying fields. This is particularly the case in the Southern Region. Reseeding, in some cases more than once, has occurred across the province. Despite the wet weather, producers in the province have made some progress in seeding, now estimated at 95 per cent complete (see Table 1), compared to 89 per cent two weeks earlier. Seeding lags behind in the Southern Region at 91 per cent complete, and noticeably in Cardston County with only 60 per cent complete. Some of the unseeded acres in the province are likely to end up as summerfallow, although some producers will still try to seed more barley for feed production, weather permitting.
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Additionally, rain during the last two weeks has brought 10-40 mm of moisture to the central parts of the North East/North West Regions and northern parts of the Peace Region. Elsewhere in the province, precipitation is less than ten mm. Soil moisture reserves range from good to excessive in the Southern and Central Regions, while rain is needed in many northern parts of the North East/North West Regions, and central/southern areas of the Peace Region. Provincially, surface moisture is rated as eight per cent poor, 12 per cent fair, 37 per cent good, 36 per cent excellent, and seven per cent excessive. The rating of sub-surface moisture is 16 per cent poor, 19 per cent fair, 32 per cent good, 30 per cent excellent, and three per cent excessive.
Crops are mostly in good condition, although development is behind normal, a result of delayed seeding and cool temperatures. Provincially, spring wheat, oats and barley are rated as three per cent poor, 17 per cent fair, 63 per cent good, and 17 per cent excellent, while canola is reported as five per cent poor, 21 per cent fair, 58 per cent good, and 16 per cent excellent. Due to excessive moisture, crops are turning yellow in some low-lying fields, particularly in the Southern Region. Spraying for weed control in the province is nearly 50 per cent complete.
The moisture received recently has been beneficial to tame hay and pasture growth. Provincially, pasture conditions are reported as eight per cent poor, 20 per cent fair, 56 per cent good, and 16 per cent excellent, while tame hay growth is rated as six per cent poor, 18 per cent fair, 57 per cent good, and 19 per cent excellent. Haying operations are expected to begin in late June or early July.
In some areas of the province, pesticides are being applied to control cutworms. Also reported are local/regional problems with flea beetles, wireworms, and gophers.
Our thanks to Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen, staff of AFSC and the Alberta Ag-Info
Centre for their partnership and contribution to the Alberta Crop Reporting Program.
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2010 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Precipitation received during the last two weeks is 80-150 mm in the southwestern parts of the region, and 30-120 mm in other areas. Excessive moisture, commonly with water standing in low-lying fields, continues to impede seeding and other field operations. Reseeding, in some cases more than once, has occurred across the region. Overall, seeding is estimated at 91 per cent complete. Seeding lags behind in Cardston County at 60 per cent complete, while Cypress County and M.D. of Pincher Creek are both at 85 per cent complete. Most unseeded acres in the region will likely end up as summerfallow, although some producers may seed more barley for feed production, weather permitting. Soil moisture conditions range from good to excessive. Spraying for weed control is estimated at only 20 per cent complete.
- Due to excessive moisture, crops in some fields are turning yellow. Overall, crops are mostly in fair to good condition, and development is 1-4 weeks behind normal, as a result of delayed seeding and cool temperatures. Hailstorms have also caused some crop damage in some areas.
- With the moisture received recently, pasture and tame hay growth has been improving.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Weather conditions during the last two weeks have been mainly cool and wet, hindering field operations and slowing crop development. Rain has brought 50-120 mm of precipitation to the region. Soil moisture reserves are generally rated as good to excellent, but excessive in some fields.
- Seeding is estimated at 97 per cent complete. Producers will try to seed more barley for feed production. Some low-lying fields with excessive moisture may end up as summerfallow. Crops are generally in good condition, although development is 1-2 weeks behind normal. Also reported in some areas are problems with cutworms, wireworms and gophers. Spraying for weed control is nearly one-quarter complete.
- With the favorable moisture conditions, pasture and tame hay are showing good growth.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Precipitation received during the last two weeks is 30-70 mm in the southern areas of the region, 10-30 mm in central areas, and less than ten mm in most northern areas. Moisture conditions are mostly fair to excellent, and in some fields, excessive. Rain is needed to replenish moisture reserves in northern areas.
- Seeding is estimated at 93 per cent complete. Seeding lags behind in Camrose County and M.D. of Bonnyville, both at 85 per cent complete. Some of the unseeded acres in the region will likely end up as summerfallow, although some producers will try to seed more barley for feed production, weather permitting. Reseeding has occurred in many areas. Crops are generally in good condition, although development is 7-10 days behind normal. Spraying for weed control is about one-half complete. Also reported are concerns with flea beetles, cutworms, and gophers.
- Pasture and tame hay are mostly in good condition.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Precipitation received during the last two weeks is less than ten mm in most northern parts of the region, 30-60 mm in southern areas, and 10-40 mm in other areas. Soil moisture conditions vary, ranging from poor to excellent. Excessive moisture is reported in some southern parts of the region.
- Seeding is estimated at 97 per cent complete. County of Wetaskiwin lags behind with seeding at 86 per cent complete. Reseeding has occurred in some areas. Crop conditions vary, and range mostly from fair to good. Due to cool temperatures and delayed seeding, crop development is about 7-10 days behind normal. Cutworms, flea beetles, and gophers have caused some crop damage in some areas. Spraying for weed control is about three-quarters complete.
- Tame hay and pasture conditions vary across the region, ranging mostly from fair to good.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Weather conditions in most areas of the region during the last two weeks have been mainly warm and dry, depleting much of soil moisture reserves. Precipitation is near normal in the northern parts of the region, but is below or much below normal in the central and southern areas. Overall, moisture conditions vary across the region, ranging from poor to excellent. Rain is needed in many central and southern areas.
- Reseeding has occurred in some areas. Overall, seeding in the region is complete. Crops are in fair to excellent condition, with spring cereals in the tillering stage and early seeded canola starting to bolt. Spraying for weed control is practically done. Pesticides are being applied to control cutworms in some areas. There are some concerns with flea beetles and wireworms. Frost is also reported in some areas.
- Tame hay and pasture conditions vary across the region, ranging mostly from fair to good.
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For a complete copy of the crop report, download the attached .pdf file. |
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